Hard game at Matson

Stroud travelled to Redwell Road able to field a 15 man squad although once again without a recognised front row. Dan Wheeler made his debut on the wing whilst Harry McNeil made his first start in the second row.
1 Ryan Kibble 2 Lee Marshall 3 Jack Keightley 4 Adam Clark 5 Harry McNeil 6 Connor 7 Joe Owen 8 Mark Samak 9 Callum Gibbs 10 Jake Marsh 11 Tom Taylor 12 Cory Baker 13 Luke Peer 14 Dan Wheeler 15 Ben Wilkes
Nomads kicked off and were instantly in defensive mode as Matson secured the ball and looked to attack initially using their forwards carrying strongly in the narrow channels. Solid defence from the back row trio of Connor, Owen and Samak was sound and when Matson looked to spread play wider good work from Marsh, Baker and Peer forced a knock on. With Matson defence pressing hard, Nomads had early success with kicks through from Marsh and Peer turning the opposition. One kick forced a knock on from which Gibbs fed Marsh from the scrum, who in turn found Baker running a direct line. Good recycling provided the platform for forward drives from Clark and Owen. As the ball went wide Baker’s kick through rebounded off a Matson player into the grateful arms of Taylor, who was able to find Peer on the inside to beat the last defender and score in the corner. 0-5.
Looking to continue this early momentum an excellent take from McNeil at the kick off led to a good carry before Owen and Samak continued the momentum. Gibbs released the backs and another well placed kick through from Marsh pinned Matson back into their own 22 with excellent follow work from Wilkes and Taylor. Matson were able to secure the ball and clear their lines. The Nomads lineout unfortunately again saw the difficulties that had blighted it for much of the season and Matson were able to steal ball and begin to stretch the Nomads defence. Stretching play one way and then the other Matson crossed in the right corner despite great defensive work from Wilkes. 5-5.
This score seemed to galvanise Matson and although Owen spectacularly re-gathering the kickoff, Matson turned over the ball and soon began varying play between forward drives and spreading wider ball through their backs. Slick inter passing between their forwards and backs gained ground although this was initially repelled by good work from Kibble and Connor whilst Wilkes again showed his defensive prowess with a well timed tackle. Matson took advantage of a Stroud transgression and the breakdown and drove over with a well executed catch and drive. 10-5.
Nomads again regained their own kick with Wilkes’s tap back being collected by Owen. This timed the ball was recycled with Keightley and Marshall taking the ball on. Gibbs fed Marsh, who found Samak to make further ground before the ball went wider – Baker found Wilkes who released Wheeler. Matson’s defence was secure and he was forced in to touch.
Matson’s forwards and backs again combined well making ground up the right side, inter passing amongst a number of players. With Nomads defence stretched, Matson found holes and aided by a number of missed tackles scored a third try, which was converted. 17-5.
Samak was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury and the half time whistle was blown.
Half Time Matson 2nd XV 17​Stroud 2nd XV 5
Apologies - no second half report as match reporter was on his way to Gloucester A. & E!
Full Time Matson 2nd XV 41​Stroud 2nd XV 12